As soon as the Common App opens on August 1st of every year, seniors around the United States struggle to find a topic for a required essay that reflects their identity and appeals to admission officers. Most agree there is a certain vulnerability that comes with college applications, making students fear they’ll have to exploit their traumatic experiences in order to write their personal statement.
Although the underclassmen of Baruch have a couple years before they write this essay, many have already started wondering about it.
Freshman Amelia Bose is nervous about having nothing to write about.
“They read these essays all day and they want to find something more interesting,” she said. “And I don’t have an interesting life, so.”
Bose is not alone in her feelings and shares similar thoughts to older students.
Junior Leah Rivera hasn’t started thinking about her college essay in detail, despite some of her classmates doing so. Rivera takes two Advancement Placement (AP) classes combined with the stress of looming college applications, making it difficult to focus on writing.
“You know when they say ‘I don’t want to talk about my sadness, I want to talk about me’ that’s what I want to do.”
Rivera also feels the pressure of producing something that catches the attention of admission counselors.
“I feel like a lot of people go the emotional route and I don’t want to be left behind,” she said. “I’m trying to [conjure] something sad.”
Senior and student body president Larenz Smith is still working on his college essay. He understands this may be shocking for some and followed up by assuring it’s in the works.
“I know, I know, I know,” he said. “It’s late but Ms. Philips and I are still working on it.”
Smith’s essay is more personal and discusses his time at Baruch. He writes about wanting to transfer from the school sophomore year to eventually becoming student body president.
Smith agreed people tend to gravitate towards overly personal and traumatic experiences when writing their essays.
“For sure, people revert to trauma because that’s what makes whoever reads your essay empathize with your life,” he said.
Sophomore Mariana Rodríguez has her college essay all figured out. She’s chosen to write about her mom and said it’s a very personal topic.
“Usually, college admissions officers expect some sob story, but I don’t think you have to write something traumatic to get into a good school,” she said. “You could write about something you’re passionate about or talented.”
